Phototypographic strip printing machine



P 1967 a. RADTKE PHOTOTYPOGRAPHIC STRIP PRINTING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet,1

Filed Nov. 5, 1964 ms mmw Q 3711720 Ma y aw 4%,

April 18, 1967 B. RADTKE PHOTOTYPOGRAPHIC STRIP PRINTING MACHINE 8Sheets-Sheet, 2

Filed Nov. 5, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet, 5

haw Jflaw Mz%e B. RADTKE PHOTOTYPOGRAPHIC STRIP PRINTING MACHTNE April18, 1967 Flled Nov 0 1964 April 18,, 1967 B. RADTKE 3,314,342

PHOTOTYPOGRAPHIC STRIP PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1964 8Sheets-Sheet T 8 Sheets-Sheet Filed Nov. 5, 1964 Juana? Jfidw We wgflm Z0 Q Z W 5 Z w M a 5 fiw wfi @lv 0 M 0 mm w @m 55 a a w M i l W V 5 0 5mm M L 6 0 3 E 4 1 M 5 6 0 Kw 5 L t. 5 0 0 4 Z Z 4 0 8 l f 4 w 5 5 9 9 97 6 r m j J 5/ 23 Z J 5 L? w 5 M 08 m 4 w waw 2 6 m 3 5 4 w/ \5 5 w 5 0m I Z 0 8 6 5 0 6 4 a w w 3 w United States Patent 3,314,342PHOTOTYPGGRAPHIC STRIP PRINTING MACHINE Bruno Radtlre, Libertyville,Ill., assignor to Fototype, Incorporated, Chicago, Ill., a corporationof Delaware Filed Nov. 5, 1964, Ser. No. 409,113 13 Claims. (Cl. 954.5)

This invention relates to a strip printing mechanism, and moreparticularly to such a mechanism for producing display lines of type ofvarious character and size for use by lithographers, etc.

Various type of devices and mechanisms have heretofore been provided forproducing photolithographs with different sizes and styles of type, etc.Such mechanisms or devices as heretofore used have been subject to oneor more drawbacks, including slow operation, expendable materials whichcannot be reused, requirements of too much skill on the part of theoperator, undue initial expense, limited versatility, etc.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved photographic compositor.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a new and improvedstrip printing machine or mechanism.

It is further an object of this invention to provide a photographiccompositor or strip printing machine wherein the spacing betweenindividual letters or characters is adjustable, but wherein once theadjustment is made a constant spacing is maintained irrespective of thewidth of each individual letter or character.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a stripprinting mechanism or photographic compositor wherein the type font isused to control spacing between letters, whereby uniform spacing ismaintained regardless of the width of each letter, and whereby properspacing is obtained irrespective of degree of magnification orminification relative to the original type font.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a strip printingmechanism or photographic compositor wherein, once a set up has beenmade, the operator need only rotate a selector for reproducingindividual letters or characters and to push a button or control toproduce a complete printing operation, irrespective of development ofthe photosensitive paper.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a stripprinting mechanism or photographic compositor wherein standardcomponents are used for the optical portion of the mechanism.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a photographiccompositor or strip printing mechanism which is of sufficient mass toprevent unwanted migration in use, yet which is separable into severalparts for ready transportation.

One specific object of this invention is to provide a strip printingmechanism or photographic compositor utilizing an electric eye toproduce precise predetermined spacing between successive letters orcharacters.

Another specific example of this invention is to provide means forprecisely advancing a strip of photosensitive paper a predetermined butvariable degree as a part of a letter or character printing cycle, thedegree of advancement being dependent on the size of the letter orcharacter.

Various additional objects and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent from the following description when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational View;

FIG. 2 is a plan view;

FIG. 3 is a sectional View taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

3,314,342 Patented Apr. 18, 1967 FIG. 3a is a fragmentary sectional viewof a modification of a portion of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 taken along the line 3-3 ofFIG. 1 showing a shifted position of the lenses;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of cooperating parts such as the lightsource, lenses, photocell, etc.;

FIGS. 6, 6a, 6b are views of slides to illustrate dif ferent letters inthe alphabet;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the paper strip guide;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 99 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a perspective View of the mounting for the photo electriccell;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the bracket and scale supportedthereby;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line 1212 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of the indicator mechanism takenalong the line 33 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the shutter mechanism;

FIG. 15 is a plan sectional view taken along the line 1515 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a plan sectional view taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view of the paper drivingand control mechanism taken along the line 17-17 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG, 17 showing a disengaged position ofthe drive roller;

FIG. 19 discloses a fragmentary portion of a strip of photographic paperafter it has passed through the machine and has been developed to showthe lettering thereon, together with a diagrammatic representation ofrectangles simulating the rectangles on the slides which automaticallycontrol the extent of intermittent travel of the photographic paperstrip;

FIG. 20 is a wiring diagram.

Referring now in greater particularity to the drawings, and first toFIGS. 1-4, a strip printer or photocompositor constructed in accordancewith the present invention is identified generally by the numeral 30.The apparatus, device or mechanism (the strip printer) 30 comprises fourmajor parts, a base 32, a photographic projection portion, unit, orassembly 34, a printing portion, unit or assembly 36, and an electriccontrol unit 38.

The base 32 comprises a steel channel somewhat under three feet inlength, and having a web 46 and a pair of depending flanges 42 adaptedto rest on a table or other suitable supporting surface. An elongatedguide member 44 extends from near the left end (as viewed in thedrawings, and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2) of the web 40 to a pointsomewhat to the right of the center thereof. This guide member 44 isdisposed relatively toward the side of the web adjacent the operator andis generally semi-cylindrical in shape. Immediately to the side of theguide member 44 and disposed opposite the operator, there is provided arack 46, also fixed to the top of the web.

The projection unit 34 comprises a box-like housing 48 with a removablecover or lid 50. The housing is provided internally thereof on the sideopposite from the operator with a roller 52 resting on the web 40 of thebase 32. Portions of the housing interfit with the guide 44 as at 54,and near the left forward corner of the housing there is providedinternally thereof a gear 56 meshing with the rack 46, and fixed on ashaft 58 rotatable by a knob 60 disposed exteriorly of the housing formoving the projection unit 34 to the right or to the left.

The housing is provided with a photographic slide changing apparatusincluding a rotary slide tray 62 disposed in substantially a verticalplane and rotatable about a horizontal axis, and further including afinger piece or handle 64 for moving a selected slide to and from theslide tray or carrier 62 and a projecting station. The specific detailsof the slide changer mechanism are not shown herein, since this is adevice widely available in commerce. One suitable circular slide trayand changing mechanism is that which is incorporated in the Rotomaticslide projectors made by Sawyers Inc. of Portland, Oreg.

The optical system also may be conventional in nature, and hence isshown only schematically in FIG. 5, including a projection 'bulb 65, amirror 66 therebehind, condensing lenses 68, and a projection gate 70. Aprojecting lens 72 is mounted within a tubular member 74 which is infocusing mount to be described hereinafter, and which also incorporatesan iris diaphram 76 for regulating the amount of light passing throughthe projection lens 72 in accordance with conventional photographicprinciples.

The actual structure of the projection lens and accompanying parts willbe seen with particular reference to FIGS. 1-4. As is seen in thesefigures, a vertical plate 78 is movably mounted from the housing 48 bymeans of a pair of lower guide rods 81 and 82 slidable in suitableguides in the housing 48, and further by means of an upper tube 84. Theupper tube is concentric with the tube 74 holding the projection lens72, and it will be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 that this tube is provided witha knurled section 86 for adjusting the iris diaphram 76. Bolts or capscrews 88 pass through the plate 78 and are threaded into tapped holesin the ends of the rods 80 and 82 to secure the plate to the rods, andsuitable hardware 90 is provided to hold the plate to the upper tube 84.

The rod 80 interiorly of the housing 48 is provided with an undersectionin the form of a rack 92. A gear 94 meshes with this rack, and is faston a shaft with an exterior, knurled knob 96. Upon turning of the knob96 one way or another, the structure mounting the projection lens ismoved to the right or to the left, whereby to focus the image projectedby the lens.

Auxiliary lenses 98 and 109 are mounted on a plate 102 fixed on a rod104 projecting forwardly from the plate 78 and rotatable relativethereto. One or the other of these lenses may be moved into position infront of the normal projection lens 72 to provide for focusing beyondthe range of the normal projection lens. To effect such positioning, acam 1116 is fixed to the rod or shaft 104 immediately forwardly of theplate 78. This cam is provided with an idle or rest position notch 108,and with a pair of lense positioning notches 118 and 112.

A pawl 114 having a sharp edge protuberance 116 projecting therefrom ispivoted about a pin or shaft 118 extending forwardly from the plate 78.A spring 120 is stretched between the tail 122 of the pawl and a pin 124extending forwardly from the plate 78. The spring normally holds theprojection 116 in one or another of the cam notches 1418, 118, 112. Withthe projection in the notch as in FIG. 3, the auxiliary lenses 98 and100 are positioned out of the optical path of the lens 72. When theprojection is in the notch 110, the auxiliary lens 98 is in the opticalpath, and when the projection is in the notch 112 (as in FIG. 4) theauxiliary lens 168 is in the optical path.

Specimen slides, which comprise the type font, are shown in FIGS. 6, 6aand 617. As will be appreciated, the type font is changed readily bychanging the slide tray or carrier, a difierent set of slides beingstored in each tray or carrier. The slides may be in any type of slidebinders 126, and preferably are of the glass bound type. Reference firstshould be had to FIG. 6, wherein the character H is displayed. The H128is transparent, while the background 138 is opaque, normally black withcommon photographic products, with the exception of a transparent bar132. It will be observed that the spacing vertically in FIG. 6 betweenthe bottom of the H, which is lying on its side, and the top of the bar132 is rather slight.

Reference should now be had to FIG. 6a, and it will be seen that thecharacter 128 in this instance comprises a W lying on its side. Sincethe width of a W is substantially greater than that of an H, it isimmediately ap parent that the height of the character lying on its sideis considerably greater in FIG. 6a than it is in FIG. 6.

The transparent bar 132 is substantially lower on the slide in FIG. 6athan it is in 6, but it will be seen that the vertical spacing betweenthe bottom of the sideways character W and the top of the light bar isthe same slight spacing as in FIG. 6.

Turning now to FIG. 6b, it will be seen that the char acter 128 isnarrow as possible, namely an I, again lying on its side. It isimmediately apparent that the vertical height of this sidewise I is lessthan that of the H, and much less than that of the W. Nevertheless, thespacing from the bottom of this character to the top of the light bar132 is again the same slight spacing as in FIG. 6 and FIG. 6a. Thesignificance of this is that the top of the light bar 132 is used tocontrol the spacing of the characters or letters as printed in theprinter 36, and the details of this will be brought out hereinafter.

Reference to FIG. 1 reveals a scale 134 with indicia therein readableagainst the right end of the housing 48. The scale is movable with theplate 78, and is used for focusing without the necessity of observingthe projected image. Similarly, a scale 136 is provided on the base 42and has indicia thereon readable against an index mark 138 on the sideof the housing. This scale provides for producing a predetermined sizeof image, also without the necessity of observing the projected image.-H

The printer or printing assembly 36 is horizontally and verticallyadjustable, and reference should be hadto FIGS. 7, 9 and 12, as well asto FIGS. 1 and 2, for a more complete understanding of the printingassembly. The top web 40 of the base 32 has an opening 144 ofsubstantial size therein near the right end of the machine, as best seenin FIG. 2. Part of the printing assembly depends into this opening, aswill be apparent immediately hereinafter.

A mounting block 146 is spaced up from the web 142 by spacer blocks 148at the right end of the opening- 144, and cap screws or machine bolts150 extend down through the block 146 and the spacers 148, and arethreaded into the web 142, although it is contemplated that nuts couldbe provided beneath the web on these cap screws or machine bolts. Avertical adjustment spacer block 152 of generally L-shape has ahorizontal portion or leg 154 thereof extending beneath the centralportion of the plate 146 in an extension slot 156 form'- ing a part ofthe opening 144. A cap screw or machine bolt 158 extends through theplate 146 and is threaded into a tapped hole in the block portion 154.Dowell pins 16% also extend through the plate 146 into suitableapertures in the block horizontal portion 154 to aid in securing theblock to the plate 146. The block 152 also includes a verticallyupstanding portion 162 having a central threaded bore 164 for receipt ofa vertical adjustment screw 166 having a knurled head 168 readilygrasped by the fingers. The head is provided on its underside with aboss 171) riding against the top of a reaction plate 172, while a washeror flange 174 on the screw 166 rides against the underside of thereaction plate 172.

A generally rectangular plate 176 extends from front to back of theprinting mechanism. Spacer blocks 178 and 188 lie vertically alongopposite sides thereof, and a plate 182 is held across the top right endthereof by bolts 184 which extend through the plate 182 and through thespacer blocks 178 and 180, and are threaded into the plate 176. Pins 185also extend through the plate 182 and into the spacer blocks 178 and 180for aid in mounting the parts together. A holding or stabilizing plate186 overlies one side portion of the generally L-shaped block 152 to thebackside of the horizontal projection 154. This plate is held in placeby a pair of bolts 183 extending through the plate 186 and threaded intothe block 189.

As will now be seen, the block 156 is fixedly mounted. Hence, turning ofthe thumb wheel 168 to advance or retract the screw 166 in the verticalportion 162 of the block 152 causes the horizontal plate 172 to beraised or lowered. This plate is secured to the vertical plate 176 by ameans including a bolt 1% extending vertically down through the plate172 and threaded into the plate 176. Hence, the plate 176 and the partsattached thereto, including the main part of the printing device areraised or lowered by such turning.

As will be seen with reference to FIG. 1, a vertical scale 192 isprovided on the forward portion of the spacer block 178, and this alsomay be seen to some extent in FIG. 9, although the indicia on the scale192 are not visible in FIG. 9. A pointer 194 extends from the top of theplate 146 for reading against the indicia 192, thereby to determine theproper height of the printing device or assembly.

A guide plate 196, seen in FIGS. 7 and 12, is secured to the left sideof the plate 17-6 by means of bolts 198 countersunk in the guide plate196 and extending through a spacer block 206 and threaded into the plate176. The plate 172 partially overlies the space between the plate 176and the guide plate 196, as will be seen in FIG. 12, and a slide block282 is mounted therein, having an upstanding vertical plate 264 ofrather susbtantial height secured thereto as by recessed screws 206.

The block 2432 is provided with a threaded bore 208, and the threadedshank 210 of a horizontal adjustment screw 212 is threadedly receivedtherein. The adjustment screw 212 is provided at its outer end with aknurled hand wheel 214 (see also FIG. 9) having an underlying boss 216.This boss bears against a reaction plate 218 which is secured to theguide plate 196 by means of screws or bolts 22% extending through theplate and threaded into tapped apertures in the guide plate 196. Acollar 222 is fixed on the shank 21d of the horizontal adjustment screwand abuts the inner face of the plate 218. Thus, rotation of the handwheel 214 causes the block 2112 to move in or out, and thereby to shiftthe upper portion of the printing assembly forward or backwards relativeto the base.

Near the top of the plate 264 and on the far side thereof, there issecured a channel shaped support 224, (FIGS. 2, 7, 9, 15 and 16) havinga relatively wide flange 226 secured to the plate 204 by screws (notshown). The support 224 also includes a web 228, and a smaller flange236. The web depends below the lower edges of the flanges 226 and 236,and is deflected outwardly at 232.

A drive unit 234 is secured to the web 228 by means of screws andspacers 236, and is of known construction, including a reducing gearunit 238 and an electric motor 249. The motor is of a type in which therotor is free to turn relative to the shaft, and which is clutchedthereto through a solenoid 242 when the solenoid is energized foroperation. The entire drive unit 234 may be seen somewhat generally inFIG. 2, wherein the clutch is indicated at 244 between the motor 240 andthe drive shaft 246.

The output shaft 246 from the gear reducer 238 extends through the web228 and has a drive gear 248 (FIGS. 7 and 12) fixed on the end thereof.This drive gear meshes with an overlying driven gear 259 (FIGS. 2, 7, 12and 15) fixed on a shaft 252 journalled in bearings in vertical plates25:? and 256 extending to the left 6 from the plate 204 and suitablysecured thereto, preferably by screws passing through the plate 204 andthreaded into the plate 254 and 256, such screws not appearing in thedrawings.

Between the plates 254 and 256 a rubber roller 258 is fixed to the shaft252 for rotation therewith. In addition, a gear 260 is fixed on theshaft and meshes with a like gear 262 fixed on a shaft 264 and carryinga rubber roller 266 in opposition to the rubber roller 258. It will beapparent that the two gears and the two rubber rollers are thus drivenin synchronism.

The shaft 264 is journalled in bearings in slide blocks 26S fitting inrecesses in the plates 254 and 256. The recesses are closed over bysmall plates 270 and held in place by screws, and helical springs 272recessed within the bearing blocks 268 react against the plates in orderresiliently to hold the rubber roller 266 against the roller 258.

A vertical depending flange 274 (FIG. 12) of a paper storage containersupport 276 is secured to the top edge of the plate 294 by means such asscrews 278. The support 276 also includes a horizontal plate portion279, an upstanding web 280, and a reentrant floor 282 depending at theleft edge as a vertical flange 284.

A paper storage box 286 is suitably secured to the support 276 andcarries a roll 288 of photosensitive paper which unrolls therefrom as astrip 291). The box 286 is light, tight, and includes a flanged cover232 (FIGS. 7 and 9) held in place by a stud 294 extending from the backwall 296 through the cover 292. The outer or forward end of the stud 294is threaded, and a knurled nut 298 is turned down thereon to hold thecover removably in place.

A paper guide 300, comprising a pair of spaced apart plates, one ofwhich has an outwardly turned flange 3111 for facilitating paper stripentrance, depends from the paper storage box 286 and has side flangesthereon (not shown) to exclude light. The guide extends almost to theentrance or maw of the rollers 25S and 266 to guide the paper strip 290to a position for feeding between the rollers.

Spaced slightly below the rollers, there is a backup plate 392 having anoutwardly turned upper edge 304 properly to receive the paper strip. Theupper portion of this backup plate comprises a printing area, and belowthis printing area there is a forward guide plate 366 also having anoutwardly turned upper flange 3128 to facilitate paper strip guidance.Screws 319 extend through the plates 366 and 302, and also through shims312 (FIG. 16) between them and through spacer sleeves 314, the screwsbeing threaded into the plate 204 in suitably tapped apertures. Theplates 306 and 302 preferably are otherwise secured to themselves and tothe shims 312, as by spot welding.

A plate 316 (FIGS. 7 and 12) is secured across the undersides of thebearing blocks 254 and 256, by means such as suitable screws (notshown), and has a fixed cutting blade 318 secured to the undersidethereof. A movable cutting blade 320 is pivotally fixed to the undersideof the fixed cutting blade as by a pivot screw 322. As will beappreciated, this is immediately above the outturned flange 304 on thebackup plate 392, and provision thus is made for cutting off the paperimmediately below the rollers and just above the backup plate 362.

A shaft 324 (FIGS. 7, 15, 16 and especially 14) is pivotally mountedbetween the flanges 226 and 230 of the support 224. A shutter plate 326has a boss 328 thereon fixed to the shaft 324 by suitable means, such asa set screw 330. The boss engages the inner end of a bearing 332 setinto the plate 230, there being a like bearing set in the plate 226. Apin 334 extends to the left from the shutter plate 326, and a helicalspring 336 is stretched between this pin and a fixed pin 338 on theinner side of the flange 230. The spring 336 thus holds the shutterplate 326 to its normal raised position. The pin also is en- 7 edge ofthe flange 230 to serve downwardly pivoted position of gageable with thefront as a limit stop for the the shutter plate 326. I

The shutter plate 326 has a shutter blade 33% secured thereto, as byrivets 340. The shutter blade isgenerally rectangular and is providedalong its upper edge with a right angled, V-shaped notch 342. In itsnormal, raised position of operation as shown in solid lines in thedrawings, the shutter blade overlies the printing area at the top of theplate 302, as perhaps best can be seen in FIG. 12. In the lowered,printing position of FIG. 7 shown in dashed lines, the shutter blade isat approximately a 45 angle, and the notch 342 has its sidesrespectively lying vertical and horizontal, thereby to expose arectangular printing area without requiring a more extensive pivot angleof the shutter.

At the opposite end of the shaft 324, there is provided a lever arm 344which also extends in a horizontal direction in rest position. This arm,as best seen in FIGS. 9 and 14 (and also in FIGS. 15 and 16), has aconnecting link 346 pivoted thereto, and. also pivotally connected tothe upper end of the plunger 348 of a solenoid mounted on the previouslynoted outturned bottom flange 232 forming the extension of the web 223of the support 224. As will be appreciated, energization of thissolenoid pulls down on the arm 344, and thus pivots the shutter blade338 to printing position, as determined by engagement of the pin 334against the front of the flange 230.

The extreme right end of the shaft 324 also is provided with anoperating cam 352 having a boss or spacer 356 secured thereto and to theshaft 324. This cam is provided with a tapered leading edge 358, and itsfunction will be described more fully hereinafter.

Means is provided to determine how far the strip of paper 290 will beadvanced by the rollers 258 and 266 in any given operation, and thestructure thereof is set forth immediately hereinafter.

A forward bearing block 360 (see particularly FIGS. 9, 15, 16) and arear bearing block 362 (see also FIGS.

12, 17 and 18) are secured to the right face of the plate apart relationby means such as 366 is journalled between these plates, and has fixedthereto a clevis 368 having a bight 370 secured to the shaft as by setscrews (not shown), and a forward arm 372 integral therewith, and a reararm 374 also integral therewith, the arms being respectively adjacentthe forward and rear bearing blocks or plates 360.

The clevis arms 372 204 in parallel spaced screws 364. A shaft and 374at their upper ends carry a rotatable shaft 376 extending between themand also forwardly of the forward clevis arm 372. A rubber roller 378 isfixed to this shaft, and projects through an opening 38% in the plate204 into driven engagement with the roller 258.

The shaft 366 has a depending ann 382 (FIGS. 17 and 18) fixed thereon,and a spring 384 is stretched between this arm and a screw 3% in theunderside of the block 342 so as resiliently to bias the roller 373 intoengagement with the roller 258, as shown in FIG. 17.

The arm 382 also is provided with a pin 3S8 rotatably carrying a metalroller 3%. An opposed metal roller 392 rotates about a pin 394 fixed onthe block 362. The two rollers 390 and 392 normally are spaced apart arather small distance as shown in FIG. 17. They are positioned so thatwhen the shaft 324 is rocked by operation of the solenoid 350, the cam352 is pivoted into place between these two rollers to cam the rollersapart, as shown in FIG. 18, thereby withdrawing the rubber roller 378from engagement with the roller 258. As will be apparent in FIG. 18, thetapered leading edge 358 of the cam 352 facilitates entrance into thespace between the two rollers 39%) and 392.

The shaft 376 at its forward end has a gear 3% (FIGS. 9, l3 and 15)fixed thereto. The gear has a boss 3% fixed for turning therewith, and apointer 40%) extends radially therefrom. The pointer reads againstindicia on a segmental scale 492 supported by means of screws 404passing through a right angle fiange 406 thereon and threaded into ablock 408 screwed or otherwise suitably fixed to the forward clevis arm3'72. The forward end of the block 408 is bifurcated and a threadedshaft 410 (see also FIG. 11) is threaded therethrough and is providedwith a knurled knob 412. The opposite ends of the threaded shaft 418 isen ageable with an arm 414 fixed on the shaft 398 to determine a limitposition of the pointer 49%, and hence also of the gear 396.

The gear 3% meshes with a gear 416 which is freely rotatable on theshaft 366. A smaller gear 413 is formed integral with the gear 435, andmeshes with the teeth of a gear segment 420 fixed on a shaft 422journalled in the plates or blocks 36% and 362. A boss 424 serves tospace the segment 42% forwardly of the block 360.

On the backside of the block 350, there is a boss 426 fixed to the shaftand having fixed thereto an arm 428. A helical spring 430 is stretchedbetween this arm and a hole in the horizontal wall 278 of the storagebox base.

Substantially diametrically opposite to the arm 428 there is an arm 432extending beneath the operating button 434 of a low travel switch 436mounted in a bracket 438 on top of the bearing block 362. As may be seenin FIGS. 9, 15 and 16, the arm 432 is spaced from the arm 423 and has aboss or collar 440 to which it is secured, and which is in turn fixed tothe shaft 422.

A long arm 442 (FIGS. 10, 13, 15 and 16) extends to the left from theshaft 422, to which it is fixed immediately adjacent the boss 424, as bybeing fixed to this boss. This arm is provided with an arcuate cutout444 for clearing a boss 445 serving to space the gears 416 and 418 fromthe adjacent block 36%. The .arm 442 is provided with an integral,lateral arm 446 having upper and lower flanges 448 thereon.

A slide 450 is mounted against the arm 446 between the flanges 448, andis adjustable longitudinally thereof. The slide is provided with acentral, longitudinal aperture 452, and a threaded stud having a knurledhead 454 extends therethrough and is received in a nut 456 welded orotherwise suitably secured to the back of the arm 446.

The slide is provided along its upper edge with a scale 458 readableagainst the end (the right end in FIG. 10) of the upper flange 448. Atthe opposite end, the slide 450 carries a photocell assembly 460,mounted to the slide 450 by means such as screws 462. The photocellassembly is provided with a very small window 464 (small in a horizontaldirection) providing light access to the photocell therebehind.

The photocell assembly is normally positioned slightly forward (to theright in FIGS. 7 and 8) of the shutter and printing area, and is movableinto position closely adjacent to the strip, and immediately adjacentthe recessed portion 466 (FIG. 8) of the plate 382. This is used whenletters are being printed quite small. Contrarywise, the photocellassembly is shifted far to the right of the position shown in FIG. 7 forprinting letters of rather large size.

An electric terminal block 468 is shown mounted on the flange 226 inFIG. 9. The terminal block is of conventional nature, and the wiresconnected thereto are not shown in FIG. 9, due to the confusion thatwould result therefrom.

A low travel switch 47% is mounted on the flange 226 below the terminalboard 268, and the operating button or plunger 472 thereof is positionedfor engagement by the arm 344 when the latter is in its uppermostposition.

The electric control unit 38, as seen in FIG. 2, comprises a housing 474connected to the printing assembly by means of a cable 476, part ofwhich goes to the solenoid 242, and part of which goes to the terminalboard 4:68. A conventional drop cord 478 is provided for plugging intothe usual Wall outlet or the like. As will be anparent, the electriccontrol unit can be positioned substan- 9 tially anywhere that isdesired relative to the remainder of the machine.

The electric control unit includes a standard timer 480 having a knob orpointer 482 for adjustably determining the desired time period. Thecontrol unit further includes a left push button 484, a right pushbutton 486, a left toggle switch 488, and a right toggle switch 490.

Reference should now be had to FIG. for an understanding of the controlunit and the allied or connected electric parts, all shown in normalschematic fashion. Starting at the lower left hand corner of FIG. 20,the A.C. supply line, indicated by the numeral 478 applied to the dropcord, has one side connected to a fixed contact 492 of the right toggleswitch 490, which comprises a singlepole, single-throw switch. The otherside of this switch is connected to a line 494 which leads to a fixedcontact 496 of the left push button switch 484. The switch will be seento be a double-pole, doublethrow switch with a second fixed contact 498normally open relative to the fixed contact 496, but electricallyconnectable thereto by the switch shorting bar or movable contact 5%. Asecond switch shorting bar or movable contact 582 is physicallyconnected to the shorting bar 500, but is electrically insulatedtherefrom, and normally connects fixed contacts 504- and 566, these twobeing electrically disconnected upon depression of the push buttonswitch 484. As will be understood, the push button is spring urged outto hold the movable contacts or shorting bars in a position shown inFIG. 20.

The fixed contact 498 is connected to a junction 568 through wire 510.This junction is connected to a relay coil 512, the other side of whichis connected by a wire 514 to the opposite or left side of the supplyline 478. The relay coil 512, when energized, is operative to pullmovable contact 515 into closed engagement with fixed contact 518, andalso to pull movable contact 520 from engagement with fixed contact 522into engagement with fixed contact 524.

Fixed contact 518 is connected by a wire mally closed contactscomprising movable contact 528 and fixed contact 530. Fixed contact 530is connected by a wire 532 back to the junction 508 at the top of relaycoil 512.

Movable contact 516 is connected to a junction 534. This junction isconnected to the wire 494, and it also is connected to movable contact520.

Fixed contact 524 is connected to a fixed contact 536 of the right pushbutton switch 486. A fixed contact 538 normally is electricallyconnected to fixed contact 536 by a shorting bar or movable contact 540.The fixed contact 538 is connected to a junction 542.

The push button switch 486 also includes fixed contacts 544 and 546which normally are not connected together, but which are electricallyconnectable by a movable contact or shorting bar 543. As will beappreciated, the shorting bars 540 and 548 are physically connected, butelectrically insulated for movement from the position shown to adepressed position in which the top contacts 546 and 544 are connected,and the lower contacts 536 and 538 are not connected.

The fixed contact 546 is connected to a junction 550 which is alsoconnected to fixed contact 522. Junction 550 is connected by a wire 552to a fixed contact 654 of left toggle switch 488. Fixed contact 554 ofswitch 488 is connectable by a shorting bar or movable contact 556 withfixed contact 5'58. Fixed contact 558 is connected by a wire 560 to ajunction 562.

Movable contact 556 also is connected to a junction 564 leading to theprojector lamp 64, the opposite side of the projector lamp beingconnected by a wire 566 to the left side of the input line 478.

Switch 488 also includes a fixed contact 568 which is not connected.There is also a fixed contact 570 connectable by the movable contact 556to the junction 564, and fixed contact 570 is connected by a wire 572 toa junction 574.

526 to nor- Junction 542 is connected by a wire 576 to the electricaloperating coil 578 of the timer 489, the opposite side thereof beingconnected by a wire 580 to the left side of the line 478.

The junction 452 also is connected to a wire 582 on which is thejunction 574, and also a junction 584. The junction 584 is connected toa movable contact 586 which is normally spaced from fixed contact 588,fixed contact 588 leading to junction 562. Movable contact 586 isoperated by the timer including coil 578 in known fashion.

Junction 562 is connected to the shutter solenoid 350, the opposite sideof this solenoid being connected by a wire 5%) to the left side of theline 478.

Fixed contact 544 of switch 486 is connected to a wire 592 having ajunction 52 4 thereon. This junction leads through a wire 596 to thephotocell 460. The opposite side of the photocell is connected by a wire598 to a relay coil 6%, the opposite side of this relay coil beingconnected by a wire 66-2 to the left side of the input line 478. Therelay coil 6120 is operable when energized to move the movable contact528 out of engagement with the fixed contact 530.

Wire 532 is connected to switch 470, the switch being controlled bymovement of the shutter. The opposite side of this switch goes throughlimit switch 436 to the motor 24%, the opposite side of the motor beingconnected by a wire 6G4 to the left side of the supply line. Immediatelythereabove, the left side of the supply line is connected to the clutchsolenoid 242, which is returned through a line to the fixed contact 5 34of switch 484.

Junction 594 is connected by a wire 66-8 to a junction 610 betweenshutter switch 475} and limit switch 436, and this junction is connectedby a wire 612 to fixed switch contact 5636.

Operation The first step necessary for operation is to placephotosensitive paper in the housing 236. This is easily done byloosening the thumb nut 293 to remove the cover 292. The photosensitivepaper is loaded emulsion side out and is fed manually down between theguide plates Catt-t into position between the rolls 258 and 266. Thepaper is of a type that can be handled under rather dim room lights, anddoes not require a dark room. As will be understood, this type of paperis well known for commercial photographic reproductions, and is readilydeveloped in a combined chemical developer and fixture, commonly calleda monobath, conveniently in a tray of the type having motor drivenrollers therein to advance the paper therethrough.

The timer 48% is preconditioned by the knob 482 for a known proper timeof exposure to produce a properly exposed print. The right toggle 496 ismoved to the right to turn the electrical circuits on. The left toggleis then moved to the right. This closes the movable contact or shortingbar against the fixed contact 554 and 558. Thus, a circuit isestabiished from the right side of the supply line 478 through switch490, wire 494, switch contacts 524} and 523, and Wire 5552 to fixedcontact 5'54. A branch circuit then runs through the projection lamp sand the wire 566 to the left side of the supply line 578, thus turningon the projection lamp. Another branch circuit runs through contact 558,wire 560, and shutter solenoid 350 and back through wire 590 to the leftside of the supply line 478. Thus, the shutter is retracted and theprojection light is on. The handie 64 is pushed in to move a slide intoprojection position either before or after the light is turned on, andthe slide will be projected on the plate 362 in the projection area. Thehand wheel 66 then is turned one way or the other to move the projectionstation or assembly 34 to the right or to the left to adjust the size ofthe projected image, Then the wheel 96 is turned to the right or to theleft to focus the image, and it may be necessary ll to move one or theother of the supplementary lenses 98 and 100 into position for this. Theleft toggle switch 438 then is moved to the left.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is used primarily for unusualset ups, or for first getting acquainted with the machine. In normal,routine use a table or slide rule is used whereby, for a known desiredsize of image, the projection unit is positioned according to the mark138 against the scale 136, and focusing is simultaneously determined byreading the scale 134- against the front edge of the housing 48. Throughthe normal range of operation the intensity of the projected light neednot be varied. Since pure black images are being produced, there is awide range of light intensity on the paper that is satisfactory. Undersome circumstances, it may be necessary to vary the intensity of thelight impinging upon the printing paper, and when this is true theknurled ring 86 may be changed to adjust the diaphram in the projectionlens. However, normally this is preset and then left alone.

With the left toggle switch to the left, the shutter is in its normalhorizontal position and the projection light is off. The right pushbutton 486 then is depressed to run the motor to advance paper intoprinting position. A circuit is completed from the right side of thesupply line 478 through the switch 4%, wire 494, switch contacts 520,522, switch contacts 546, and 544 taken with the shorting bar 548, wire592 to junction 59- Wire 6138 to junction 610, through limit switch 436and motor 240 and back through wire 6% to the left side of the supplyline, whereby to run the motor. Also from junction 61%, there is aconnection through the wire 612 to switch contact 5%, through shortingbar 502 to switch contact 564, and through wire 6% to the clutchsolenoid 242 and to the left side of the supply line. Thus, the motorruns and the clutch is engaged, whereby the rollers 258 and 266 aredriven to advance the paper down to printing position. The precisedistance of advance being determined by releasing the depressed pushbutton. When the push button is released, the fced motor is deenergized,but continues to coast. However, the clutch solenoid 242 upondeenergization is spring pressed from clutch position to a position tobrake the drive shaft, and hence to stop the paper substantiallyinstantaneously.

In order to print a character or a series thereof, the slide tray 62 isrotated to desired position with the handle 64 withdrawn, and the handle64 is pushed in to move the desired slide to projection position. Theleft push button 484 then is depressed. This completes a circuit fromthe right side of the line 478 through switch 490, switch contacts 496and 4% with shorting bar 500 to relay 512 and back to the left side ofthe line 478.

Energization of the relay 512 causes the contacts 516 and 518 to close,and causes the movable contact 520 to move away from the contact 522into engagement with the contact 524. With the contacts 51% and 518closed, a circuit is completed from the right side of the line 478through the switch 4% and wire 4%, through the contacts 516 and 518,through wire 526 and contacts 528 and 530, and then through wire 532back to relay 512, returning through wire 514 to the left side of line478. Thus, the contacts 516 and 51% comprise holding contacts, and therelay 512 remains energized.

With the contact 529 closed against the contact 524, a circuit continuesfrom the wire 494 through junction 534, the closed relay contacts 529and 524, contacts 536 and 533 through the shorting bar see to junction542. From junction 542 a circuit extends through wire 576 and timer 578to wire 539, thus to the left side of the supply line. The timer isimmediately moved away from the zero mark, and starts to run back towardit. Energization of the coil 578 of the timer closes the normally opencontacts 586 and 5&8. The circuit is completed from the aforementionedjunction 54?; through wire 582, contacts 586 and 588 to shutter relay 3%and back through Wire 5% to the left side of the line. Operation of theshutter relay moves the shutter to exposure making position and opensthe contacts 47%, whereby no power is available to the motor 246.

Also from the junction 542 and through the wire 582 there is a circuitleading to junction 57 4 and through wire 572 through contacts 57ft and564 by way of movable contact 556 to the projection lam 65. Thus, theshutter is retracted and the projection lamp is turned on to make anexposure. It will be realized that the push button 48 iis released veryshortly after it is depressed.

When the timer completes its cycle, the contacts 536 and 588 arereopened, whereby the shutter solenoid 35% is deenergized. The shutteris spring returned to its cutoff position and contacts 470 are reclosed.However, projection lamp 65 remains on.

With the contacts 479 reclosed, a circuit is completed from theaforementioned junction 574, through contacts 470 and limit switch 436to motor 240 and through wire 694 back to the left side of the supplyline. Also from junction 610 between contacts 470 and limit switch 436 acircuit is established through wire 612, through contacts 5% and 5% withshorting bar 592, and back through wire 6% to the clutch solenoid 242and thence to the left side of the supply line. Accordingly, the motoris effective to drive the paper feed rolls or rollers 258 and 266.

Also concurrently therewith, from the aforementioned junction 619 acircuit leads through wire 608 to Wire 5% and thence to photoelectriccell 46%). With no light on this cell it has a very high resistance, andmay be considered an open circuit from the other side of the photocellwhere 598 leads to relay 600 which is returned through wire 602 to theleft side of supply line 478.

Roller 258 frictionally drives roller 37 8 which turns its gear 396.This acts through gears 416 and 418 to drive segment 42%, and thus tolift the photocell assembly. The distance through which the photocellassembly is lifted is directly proportional to the movement of the feedrolls, and when the photocell window 464 is raised to intercept thelight bar 132 projected from the slide, the resistance of photocell 450suddenly goes to zero, whereupon relay see is energized to open contacts528 and 539. This causes relay 512 to drop out, whereupon contacts 516and 518 separate, and whereupon contact 520 moves back from contact 524to 522, thus breaking the circuit to the motor 249 and to the clutchsolenoid 242, whereupon the brake portion of the clutch suddenly stopsthe driving shaft to halt advance of the paper.

As will be understood, the distance through which the photocell assemblymust rise before the window encounters the light projected through thelight bar 132 is dependent upon the height of the light bar. Thus,regardless of the width of the character as explained in connection withFIGS. 6, 6a and 61), there will be a uniform spacing between charactersor letters.

The uniform spacing between characters is adjustably predeterminable bymeans of the knob 412 and threaded shaft 416. This adjustablypredetermines the rest position of the photocell assembly, and hence thedistance through which the photocell assembly must rise to encounter thelight beam. Thus, the setting can be predetermined to provide closespacing or large spacing. Once the spacing has been determine-:1, thespace between successive letters or characters will be constant. If theprinted size of the character is increased or decreased, the spacingwill be increased or decreased proportionately, unless the rest positionof the photocell assembly is again adjusted.

The position of the projected light beam relative to the printing areawill vary somewhat right or left, looking in the direction of theprojected beam, in accordance with the degree of enlargement orreduction in size of the projected image, although the length of the barcom- 13 pensates for this in large measure. This is further compensatedfor by adjusting the slide 450 carrying the photocell assembly back andforth. The position can be de termined experimentally, but preferably isread from the scale 458 in accordance with the master chart or sliderule used in setting up the position of the projection unit and thefocus.

A typical printed line is shown in FIG. 19. The paper strip feedsdownwards, as will be appreciated, and the position of each light bar132 relative to the corresponding character 128 is readily seen. It willbe appreciated that the characters, although shown in black, do notappear black until the strip of photosensitized paper has beendeveloped. The spacing of the light bars 132 will be seen to be quitenon-uniform, yet the relation of each bar to its corresponding letter orcharacter is constant. It is to be realized that each letter orcharacter starts at the same height down on the slide, and hence is auniform distance up on the paper strip from the cutoff point asdetermined by the light bar.

Reference should be made to FIG. 3a for the showing of a minormodification of the invention to speed up operations. In place of thepush button switch 484 on the control unit, there is provided a lowtravel switch 614 having a push button 434a thereon engageable by thehandle or finger piece 64. This speeds up operation somewhat, since theswitch is operated as soon as the slide is fully inserted, and need notwait for shifting of the hand to the switch button 484. The internalconstruction of the switch 614 is identical with that discussed inconnection with the push button 484 in the electric wiring diagram ofFIG. 20. The switch can of course be located elsewhere for automaticoperation upon insertion of the slide changing element, or it could bearranged for operation by the foot instead of the finger, as will bereadily understood.

Although reference has been made throughout to strip" printing and toprinting on a strip of paper, it will be apparent that the principlesand most of the mechanics of the invention are equally applicable tophotosensitized material of greater width or thickness than might benormally be called a strip. Furthermore, it will be apparent thattransparent photographic film could be used instead of paper forprinting, and that either could be processed for white-on-black imagesinstead of the blackon-white shown.

The specific embodiments of the invention as herein shown and describedare by way of illustration. Changes in structure will no doubt occur tothose skilled in the art and will be understood as forming a part of thepresent invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. An optical printing machine comprising: means for providing a typefont adapted to selected optical projection of the characters thereof,said type font having a plurality of index marks respectively associatedwith the characters thereof and positioned in accordance with the sizeof the respective characters; optical projection means for selectivelyoptically selecting a character of said type font; a printing station;means providing a supply of photosensitive printing material in stripform; feeding means for intermittently advancing said strip ofphotosensitive printing material relative to said printing station andincluding a pair of opposed strip feed roller means bearing on saidstrip on opposite sides thereof; and con trol means connected to saidoptical projection means and to said feeding means, said control meanscomprising photosensitive means initially positioned away from theprojection path of the index mark corresponding to the character beingprojected and movable into position to intersect the projected indexmark, said photosensitive means being activated by said projected indexmark to actuate said control means and limit movement of saidphotosensitive printing material relative to said printing station, saidcontrol means further including moving means driven in synchronism withsaid roller means, said moving means including a driven roller, meansmounting said driven roller for movement transverse of its axis into andout of driving engagement with said strip feed roller means, meansnormally holding said driven roller in driving engagement with saidstrip feed roller means to move said photosensitive means from aninitial position to the position intersecting the projected index mark,and means for disabling said moving means for return of saidphotosensitive means to an initial position, said disabiing meanscomprising means for retracting said driven roiler from drivingengagement with said strip feed roller means.

2. A printing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the retractingmeans comprises a movable member fixed relative to the driven rolleraxis, a fixed member adjacent said movable member, and a cam membermovable into position between said movable and fixed members to forcesaid movable and fixed members apart and hereby to retract said drivenroller.

3. A printing machine as set forth in claim 2 and further including ashutter disposed adjacent to said printing station, a pivoted shaftmounting said shutter for movement in front of and away from saidprinting station, said cam member being mounted on said pivoted shaft.

4. An optical printing machine comprising: a base means; a storage meanssupported by said base means for holding photosensitive printingmaterial; a printing station supported by said base means; drive meanssupported by said base means for moving the photosensitive printingmaterial relative to said printing station; roller means supported bysaid base means, said roller means being movab'e from a first rollerposition in engagement with said drive means to a second roller positiondisengaged from said drive means; photoelectric means connected to saidroller means for sensing when said printing material has been moved apredetermined distance relative to the printing station, saidphotoelectric means being moved from a first position to a secondposition adjacent to said printing station by said drive means when saidroller means is in the first roller position, said photoelectric meansbeing movable from the second position to the first position when saidroller means is in the second roller position; a projector assemblymounted on said base means, said projector assembly including a lightsource and an optical lens means for projecting an image; slide traymeans supported by said base means and associated with said projectorassembly, said slide tray means including a generally cylindrical bodymeans having a plurality of radially extending filing locations; aplurality of slide members positioned in the fiiing locations in saidslide tray means, said slide members having a type character and anindex mark associated with the type character; slide positioning meanssupported by said base means to move a selected slide member from afiling location in said slide tray means to a position intermediate saidlight source and said optical lens means to project an image of aselected type character and associated index mark; shutter means mountedon said base means, said shutter means being movable from a firstshutter position intermediate the printing station and said optical lensmeans to a second shutter position, said shutter means in said firstshutter position blocking the projection of an image of a type characteronto said photosensitive printing material, and said shutter means insaid second shutter position being spaced apart from said printingstation to enable an image of a type character to be projected onto saidphotosensitive printing material at said printing station; actuatormeans connected to said roller means and to said shutter means, saidactuator means being operable to move said shutter means from said firstshutter position to said second shutter position, and said actuatormeans being operable to move said roller means from said first rollerposition to said second roller position; circuit means connected to saidlight source, said drive means and to said actuator means, said circuitmeans including position sensing means associated with said shuttermeans to disable said drive means from moving said photosensitiveprinting material relative to said printing station when said shuttermeans is in said second position; control switch means connected to saidcircuit means, said control switch means being selectively actuatabie tocontemporaneously energize said light source, and to operate saidactuator means to move said shutter means to said second shutterposition and to move said photoelectric means to said first position bymoving said roller means to said second roller position for enabling animage of a type character to be projected onto the photosensitiveprinting material at said printing station; and timer means connected tosaid circuit means, said timer means operating said actuator means atthe end of a predetermined time period to move said shutter means fromsaid second shutter position to said first shutter position and to movesaid roller means from said second roller position to said first rollerposition, said drive means being energized by actuation of said positionsensing mean by movement of said shutter means to said first position tomove said photosensitive printing material relative to said printingstation and to move said photoelectric means from said first position tosaid second position by rotating said roller means, the image of saidindex mark being projected on said photoelectric means in said secondposition to activate said photoelectric means to deenergize said drivemeans.

5. An optical printing machine comprising: a longitudinally extendingbase member; a projector unit mounted on said base member, saidprojector unit including an optical lens assembly for projecting animage; indicia means supported by said base member adjacent to saidprojector unit, said indicia means including a font of type charactersand an index mark associated with each type character of said font oftype characters; indicia positioning means mounted on said projectorunit for positioning a selected type character and the associated indexmark in a position adjacent said optical lens assembly to enable saidoptical lens assembly to project an image of the selected type characterand an index mark associated with the selected type character; aprinting unit mounted on said base member in a space -apart relationshiprelative to said projector unit; photosensitive printing materialmounted in a storage means on said printing unit; drive means mounted onsaid printing unit for moving said photosensitive printing material pasta printing station, said drive means including first roller meansmounted on a first side of said photosensitive printing material and asecond roller means mounted on a second side of said photosensitiveprinting material, said first and second roller means being infrictional engagement with said photosensitive printing material;shutter means mounted on said printing unit; first actuator meansconnected to said shutter means to move said shutter means from a firstshutter position intermediate the printing station and said optical lensassembly to a second shutter position, said shutter means in said firstshutter position blocking the projection of an image of a type characteronto said photosensitive printing material, and said shutter means insaid second shutter position being spaced apart from said printingstation to enable an image of a type character to be projected onto saidphotosensitive printing material at the printing station; controlcircuit means connected to said first actuator means and to said drivemeans, said control circuit means including adjustable timer meansconnected to said first actuator means to retain said shutter means inthe second shutter position to enable an image of a type character to beprojected onto said photosensitive printing material at the printingstation for a predetermined time period to form an image of the typecharacter on the photosensitive printing material, said timer meansoperating said first actuator means to move said shutter means from thesecond shutter position to the first shutter position after thepredetermined time period has elapsed; photoelectric means mounted onsaid printing unit for sensing when said printing material has beenmoved for a predetermined distance relative to the printing station;third roller means mounted in engagement with said second roller meansto move said photoelectric means from a first position to a secondposition as said first and second rolier means are rotated to move saidphotosensitive printing material relative to the printing station; andcontrol circuit means connected to said photoelectric means and saiddrive means, said control circuit means including second actuator meansassociated with said third roller means to disengage said third rollermeans from said second roller means to enable said photoelectric meansto return to the first position.

6. An optical printing machine comprising: a longitudinally extendingbase member; a projector unit mounted on said base member, saidprojector unit including an optical lens assembly for projecting animage; a font of type characters associated with said projector unit; anindex mark associated with each character of said font of typecharacters; positioning means supported by said base member for moving aselected type character to a position adjacent said optical lensassembly to enable said optical lens assembly to project an image of theseiected type character and the associated index mark; a printing unitmounted on said base member in a spaced apart relationship relative tosaid projector unit; storage means mounted on said base means forholding photosensL tive printing material; drive means mounted on saidprinting unit for moving the photosensitive printing material past aprinting station; shutter means supported by said base means adjacent tosaid printing unit; actuator means connected to said shutter means tomove said shutter means from a first shutter position intermediate theprinting station and said optical lens assembly to a second shutterposition, said shutter means in said first shutter position blocking theprojection of an image of a type character onto the photosensitiveprinting material, and said shutter means in said second shutterposition being spaced apart from said printing station to enable animage of a type character to be projected onto said photosensitiveprinting material at the printing station; control circuit meansconnected to said actuator means and to said drive means, said controlcircuit means including position sensing means associated with saidshutter means to disable said drive means from moving saidphotosensitive printing material when said shutter means is in thesecond shutter position, said control circuit means further includingadjustable timer means connected to said actuator means for the shuttermeans to retain said shutter means in the second shutter position toenable an image of a type character to be projected onto saidphotosensitive printing material for a predetermined time period to forman image of the type character on the photosensitive printing material;said actuator means moving said shutter means from the second shutterposition to the first shutter position after the predetermined timeperiod has elapsed; photoelectric means mounted on said printing unitfor sensing when the printing material has been moved for apredetermined distance relative to the printing station, saidphotoelectric means being moved relative to the printing station by saiddrive means When said shutter means is in the first shutter positionafter the predetermined time period has elapsed, said drive means movingsaid photoelectric means from a first position to a second positionwherein an image of an index mark associated with a type character isprojected onto said photoelectric means, said drive means moving saidphotosensitive printing material relative to said printing station assaid photoelectric means is moved from the first position to the secondposition; and adjusting means mounted on said printting unit toselectively vary the distance from the first position of saidphotoelectric means relative to said printing station, said adjustingmeans enabling images of the type character formed on saidphotosensitive printing material to be spaced a predetermined distanceapart.

7. An optical printing machine comprising: a base means; a printingassembly supported by said base means, said printing assembly includingdrive means to move photosensitive printing material past a printingstation; a projector assembly supported by said base means, said proector assembly including a light source and an optical means forprojecting an image onto the photosensitive printing material at theprinting station; shutter means supported by said base means; actuatormeans connected to said shutter means, said actuator means beingoperative to move said shutter means from a first position intermediatethe printing station and the optical means to a second position, saidshutter means in said first position blocking the projection of an imageonto said photosensitive printing material by said optical means andsaid shutter means in said second position permitting an image to beprojected onto said photosensitive printing material by said opticalmeans; slide tray means supported by said base means and associated withsaid projection assembly for holding a plurality of slide members;positioning means supported by said base means to move a selected slidemember from a first position in said slide tray means to a secondposition intermediate said light source and said optical means; controlswitch means supported by said base means, said control switch meansbeing actuated by said positioning means in moving a selected slidemember from the first position in the slide tray to the second positionintermediate the light source and optical means; circult meansinterconnecting said control switch means, the light source, saidactuator means and the drive means; said circuit means being energizedby the actuation of said control switch means to energize the lightsource to project an image of indicia on the slide member, and tocontemporaneously therewith operate said actuator means to move theshutter means to said second position to enable the image of the indiciaon the slide member to be projected onto the photosensitive printingmaterial at the printing station and to disable said drive means againstmoving the photosensitive printing material relative to the printingstation; and timer means connected to said circuit means and saidactuator means to enable said actuator means to move the shutter meansfrom said second position to said first position at the end of apredetermined time period, said photosensitive printing material beingexposed by the projection for the predetermined time period of the imageof the indicia on the slide member to form similar indicia on thephotosensitive printing material.

3. An optical printing machine as set forth in claim 7 furtherincluding: position responsive means mounted on said printing assemblyand connected to the drive means; said position responsive means beingactuated by said shutter means when said shutter means is in said firstposition to energize said drive means to move the photosensitiveprinting material for a predetermined distance relative to said printingstation.

9. An optical printing machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein: saidslide tray means includes a generally cylindrical rotatable body memberhaving a plurality of radially extending filing locations for holdingsaid slide members, said slide tray means being rotated relative to saidprojector assembly to locate a selected slide member for axial movementby said positioning means to a location intermediate said light sourceand said optical means.

10. An optical printing machine comprising: a base means; drive meanssupported by said base means for moving photosensitive printing materialrelative to a printing station, said drive means including a firstroller means positioned in engagement with the photosensitive printingmaterial; second roller means supported by said base means, said secondroller means being movable from a driving position in frictionalengagement with said first roller means to an idler position spacedapart from said first roller means; photoelectric means connected tosaid second roller means for sensing when the printing material has beenmoved for a predetermined distance relative to the printing station;said photoelectric means being moved from a first position to a secondposition adjacent to said printing station by rotation of said firstroller means when said second roller means is in the driving position,said photoelectric means being movable from the second position to thefirst position when said second roller means is in the idler position;actuator means connected to said second roller means to move said secondroller means from the driving position to the idler position; aprojector assembly mounted on said base means, said projector assemblyincluding a light source and optical means for projecting an image ontothe photosensitive printing material at said printing station; first andsecond indicia means supported by said base means and associated withsaid projector assembly; positioning means supported by said base meansto move said first and second indicia means to a position intermediatesaid light source and said optical means; control switch means supportedby said base means, said control switch means being actuated by saidpositioning means in moving the selected first and second indicia meansto the position intermediate the light source and optical means; circuitmeans interconnecting said control switch means, the light source, saidactuator means and the drive means; said circuit means being energizedby actuation of said control switch means to energize the light sourceto project an image of the first indicia means onto the photosensitiveprinting material at said printing station and to project an image ofthe second indicia means onto said photoelectric means when saidphotoelectric means is in the second position and to operate saidactuator means to move said second roller means to the idler position toenable said photoelectric means to move to said first position; andtimer means connected to said actuator means and said drive means tooperate said actuator means at the end of a predetermined time period tomove said second roller means from the idler position to the drivingposition and to energize said drive means at the end of thepredetermined time period to rotate said first roller means to move saidphotosensitive printing material relative to the printing station and todrive said second roller means, said photoelectric means being movedfrom the first position to the second position by said second rollermeans, said photoelectric means in said second position sensing theimage of said second indicia means to disengage said drive means to stopthe movement of said photosensitive material relative to the printingstation.

11. An optical printing machine as set forth in claim 10 furtherincluding: adjustable stop means supported by said base means forselectively varying the relationship of the first position for saidphotoelectric means relative to the second position for saidphotoelectric means to vary the spacing of a series of images formed onsaid photosensitive printing material.

12. An optical printing machine comprising: a base member; a projectorunit mounted on said base member, said projector unit including anoptical lens assembly for projecting an image; a slide tray supported bysaid base member and associated with said projector means; a pluralityof slide means positioned in said slide tray, said slide means includinga type character and an index mark associated with said type character;slide positioning means mounted on said projector unit for moving aslide means from said slide tray to a position adjacent said opticallens assembly to project an image of a type character and an index markassociated with the type character; control switch means mounted on saidprojector means, said control switch means being actuated by said slidepositioning means as a slide means is positioned adjacent said opticallens assembly; a printing unit mounted on said base member in aspaced-apart relationship relative to said projector unit; storage meansmounted on said printing unit for holding photosensitive printingmaterial; drive means mounted on said printing unit for moving thephotosensitive printing material from said storage means and past -aprinting station; shutter means mounted on said printing unit; actuatormeans connected to said shutter means to move said shutter means from afirst shutter position intermediate the printing station and saidoptical lens assembly to a second shutter position, said shutter meansin the first shutter position blocking the projection of an image of atype character onto the photosensitive printing material, and saidshutter means in said second shutter position being spaced apart fromsaid printing station to enable an image of a type character to beprojected onto the photosensitive printing material at the printingstation; control circuit means connected to said control switch means,said actuator means and said drive means, said control circuit meansbeing energized by actuation of said control switch means to operatesaid actuator means to move said shutter means from the first shutterposition to the second shutter position, said control circuit meansincluding position sensing means associated with said shutter means todisable said drive means from moving the photosensitive printingmaterial when said shutter means is in the second shutter position, saidcontrol circuit means further including adjustable timer means connectedto said actuator means for the shutter means to retain said shuttermeans in the second position to enable an image of a type character tobe projected onto said photosensitive printing material at the printingstation for a predetermined time period to form an image of the typecharacter on the photosensitive printing material, said timer meansoperating said actuator means to move said shutter means from the secondshutter position to the first shutter position after the predeterminedtime period has elapsed; photoelectric means mounted on said printingunit for sensing when the photosensitive printing material has beenmoved a predetermined distance relative to the printing station, saidphotoelectric means being moved relative to the printing station by saiddrive means when said shutter means is in the first shutter position 20after the predetermined time period has elapsed, said drive means movingsaid photoelectric means from a first position to a second positionwherein an image of an index mark associated with a type character isprojected onto said photoelectric means, said drive means moving saidphotosensitive printing material relative to said printing station assaid photoelectric means is moved from the first position of saidphotoelectric means to the second position of said photoelectric means;and adjusting means mounted on said printing unit to selectively varythe distance from the first position of said photoelectric meansrelative to said printing station, said adjusting means enabling imagesof type characters formed on said photosensitive printing material to bespaced a predetermined distance apart.

13. An optical printing machine as set forth in claim 12 furtherincluding: a cutter bar mounted intermediate said drive means and saidprinting station, said cutter bar being movable to cut an exposedportion of the printing material from a main supply of the printingmaterial, whereby said drive means is in engagement with printingmaterial extending from said main supply of printing material after saidexposed portion of said printing material has been cut from said mainsupply of printing material.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,742,831 4/1956Wirtz 95-4.5 2,762,277 9/1956 McChesney 954.5 2,780,151 2/1957 Borisof954.5 2,978,969 4/1961 Heine 954.5 2,989,904 6/1961 Braggs 954.53,045,567 7/1962 Frankel 954.5 3,122,075 2/1964 Klyce 954.5

JOHN M. HORAN, Primary Examiner.

1. AN OPTICAL PRINTING MACHINE COMPRISING: MEANS FOR PROVIDING A TYPEFRONT ADAPTED TO SELECTED OPTICAL PROJECTION OF THE CHARACTERS THEREOF,SAID TYPE FRONT HAVING A PLURALITY OF INDEX MARKS RESPECTIVELYASSOCIATED WITH THE CHARACTERS THEREOF AND POSITIONED IN ACCORDANCE WITHTHE SIZE OF THE RESPECTIVE CHARACTERS; OPTICAL PROJECTION MEANS FORSELECTIVELY OPTICALLY SELECTING A CHARACTER OF SAID TYPE FONT; APRINTING STATION; MEANS PROVIDING A SUPPLY OF PHOTOSENSITIVE PRINTINGMATERIAL IN STRIP FORM; FEEDING MEANS FOR INTERMITTENTLY ADVANCING SAIDSTRIP OF PHOTOSENSITIVE PRINTING MATERIAL RELATIVE TO SAID PRINTINGSTATION AND INCLUDING A PAIR OF OPPOSED STRIP FEED ROLLER MEANS BEARINGON SAID STRIP ON OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF; AND CONTROL MEANS CONNECTED TOSAID OPTICAL PROJECTION MEANS AND TO SAID FEEDING MEANS, SAID CONTROLMEANS COMPRISING PHOTOSENSITIVE MEANS INITIALLY POSITIONED AWAY FROM THEPROJECTION PATH OF THE INDEX MARK CORRESPONDING TO THE CHARACTER BEINGPROJECTED AND MOVABLE INTO POSITION TO INTERSECT THE PROJECTED INDEXMARK, SAID PHOTOSENSITIVE MEANS BEING ACTIVATED BY SAID PROJECTED INDEXMARK TO ACTUATE SAID CONTROL MEANS AND LIMIT MOVEMENT OF SAIDPHOTOSENSITIVE PRINTING MATERIAL RELATIVE TO SAID PRINTING STATION, SAIDCONTROL MEANS FURTHER INCLUDING MOVING MEANS DRIVEN IN SYNCHRONISM WITHSAID ROLLER MEANS, SAID MOVING MEANS INCLUDING A DRIVEN ROLLER, MEANSMOUNTING SAID DRIVEN ROLLER FOR MOVEMENT TRANSVERSE OF ITS AXIS INTO ANDOUT OF DRIVING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID STRIP FEED ROLLER MEANS, MEANSNORMALLY HOLDING SAID DRIVEN ROLLER IN DRIVING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAIDSTRIP FEED ROLLER MEANS TO MOVE SAID PHOTOSENSITIVE MEANS FOR AN INITIALPOSITION TO THE POSITION INTERSECTING THE PROJECTED INDEX MARK, ANDMEANS FOR DISABLING SAID MOVING MEANS FOR RETURN OF SAID PHOTOSENSITIVEMEANS TO AN INITIAL POSITION, SAID DISABLING MEANS COMPRISING MEANS FORRETRACTING SAID DRIVEN ROLLER FROM DRIVING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID STRIPFEED ROLLER MEANS.